Posts tagged Shabana Azmi

Women in volatile situations themed films dominate inaugural APSA Awards

By Neena Bhandari

Gold Coast (Australia), 16.12.2007 (IANS): Films exploring the lives of women in some of the most volatile situations won many an award at the inaugural Asia Pacific Screen Awards. APSA,  the region’s highest accolade in film, showcased the immense talent and cinematic diversity of a region covering more than 70 countries, one-third of the earth’s surface, 60 per cent of its total population and half the world’s film output.

APSA brought together films from the classical and traditional to the experimental and cutting edge industries – from the stylised horror genres of Japan, to the allegorical tragedies and comedies of Korea; the extraordinary tapestry of Chinese cinema, the multifaceted industries of India, the poetry and reality of Persian cinema to the visionary narratives of the Middle East.

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Asian cinema should be properly recognised: Shabana Azmi

By Neena Bhandari

Gold Coast (Australia), 12.11.2007 (IANS):  “Asia Pacific Screen Awards is an idea whose time has come, both politically and culturally. It is only fair that Asian cinema which comprises nearly three-fourths of the world cinema is properly recognised and represented”, says acclaimed actress and activist Shabana Azmi.

Shabana is in Gold Coast, one of the favourite tourist destination for Indians, as president of the international jury for the inaugural Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) being held here.

In an exclusive interview to IANS in the plush Sheraton Mirage, where the awards will be presented on Tuesday, Shabana said, “What has happened with Oscars, assuming the importance that they have over the years, the Oscar awards seems to be the definitive award filmmakers aspire for. We are going to create in the times to come an alternative to that so that Asian cinema gets the recognition it deserves,”

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